Fire-lighter.



No. 642,266. Patented Ian. 30, I900.

M. SHELLEY.

FIRE LIGHTER.

(Application filed June 19, 1899.)

(No Model.)

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MICHAEL SHELLEY, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

FIRE LIGHTER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 642,266, dated January 30, 1900.

Application filed June 19,1899- Serial No. 721,025. (No model.)

To aZZ whom, it natty concern:

Be it known that I, MICHAEL SHELLEY, a citizen of the United States, residing at the city of Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new andusefullmprovements in Fire Lighters and Kindlers, of which the following is a specification.

My invention has relation to a fire lighter and kindler, and in such connection it relates more particularly to the construction and arrangement of the same.

The principal object of my invention is to provide a fire lighter and kindler comprising a box or crate of wood or other inflammable material wherein are contained shavings or excelsior and small blocks of wood arranged so that at the bottom and center of the crate there will be a layer of shavings or excelsior, and above the bottom layer and on either side of the central layer of shavings or excelsior the blocks of wood will be held in a vertical position, whereby the lighter and kindlermay be quicklylighted and after lighting will be almost instantaneously inflamed in its entirety.

My invention, stated in general terms, consists of a fire lighter and kindler constructed and arranged in substantially the manner hereinafter described and claimed.

The nature and scope of my invention will be more fully understood from the following description, taken in connection wit-h the accompanying drawings, forming part hereof, in which-=- Figure 1 is a perspective View of a fire lighter and kindler, partly broken away and embodying main features of my invention; and Fig. 2 is avertical longitudinal sectional view thereof.

Referring to the drawings, a represents a box or crate of wood or other inflammable material and having at its top and base, respectively, the two longitudinal openings or crevices a a and a a Within the crate a is arranged along the base a layer Z) of shavings, excelsior, or similar loose inflammable material, and from this layer 12 at about the center of the crate a extends a vertical layer Z) of the same material. Above the layer 1) and on either side of the central layer Z) are arranged blocks (1 of wood, which are vertically disposed within the crate.

In devices of the character described it is essential that they may not only be readily ignited, but shall be completely inflamed i11- stantaneously before disintegration of the device. In my present improvement both of these objects are attained. Thus the application of the flame of a match to the layer 1) of shavings at either crevice a a will readily cause the ignition of the device. The flame thus produced travels upward along the interior sides of the crate a and also up the central layer Z) and escapes through the upper crevices a a. The sides of the crate and the blocks d of wood are almost instantaneously subjected to the action of the flame, and the entire device is thus inflamed prior to its disintegration.

Having thus described the nature and obj ectof my invention, whatI claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

A fire lighter and kindler, comprising a crate of wood or similar material and provided at its top and base with longitudinal crevices or openings, a layer of shavings or the like arranged along the base of the crate, a layer of similar material extending vertically from said base layer and arranged centrally in the crate, and blocks of wood or similar material arranged Within the crate above the base layer and on either side of said vertical layer, substantially as and for the purposes described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my signature in the presence of two subscrib ing witnesses.

MICHAEL SHELLEY.

Witnesses:

J. WALTER DoU'oLAss, THOMAS; M. SMITH. 

